Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Question 9

The lesson called paintball/laser tag “war games” and suggested they would undermine a claim to conscientious objection; what does it say about early Christian identity that even simulated participation matters, and how does modern Christianity’s comfort with “pretend violence” reveal a different moral imagination than the one this lesson is calling for?

Another way to ask: Why would it matter to early Christians whether you join in pretend violence like paintball or laser tag? What does today’s comfort with “war games” show about how differently many Christians picture right and wrong?

Direct Answer In this lesson’s logic, early Christian identity is so closely tied to nonresistance that even simulated “war games” contradict the story we claim to live, especially when questioned by authorities. Modern comfort with pretend violence suggests a weaker separation from the spirit of war than the lesson calls Christians to maintain.

Support from Transcript:

Dean asks about paintball/laser tag and frames it as hard to explain “before the conscience objectors” (i.e., when defending CO status).
He urges: “Just imagine explaining that…maybe that’ll answer your own question.”
The other speaker states plainly: “they’re war games,” even if they “seem harmless.”
He connects it to credibility: if that’s “your lifestyle,” you’ll have “a hard time convincing them” you are non-resistant.
Dean earlier ties similar issues to internet/Xbox history being reviewed for drafts and says the military looks at “word and deed.”
The broader context rejects separating outward actions from inward formation (desensitization, training instincts).

Discussion Follow-ups Do we treat nonresistance as a church doctrine, or as a whole way of life that must be believable? What “harmless fun” might actually be training our imagination to enjoy what Jesus calls us to renounce?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Jumpstarter 9 of 10